Housing and stand for bottled gas



Sept- 11, 1951 o. FAUSER, JR A 2,567,370

HOUSING AND STAND FOR BOTTLED GAS Sept. 1l, 1951 o. FAUSER, JR

HOUSING AND STAND FOR BOTTLED GAS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 25, 1946 figg/2.

Patented Sept. 11, 1951 UNITED STATES PfAT1;Nr OFFICE ,assainirV l HOUSING AND sTAND FOR` BOTTLED GAS Oscar Fauser, Jr., Rock Islandylll; assignor to- Stampings, Incorporated, Davenport, Iowa, a

corporationy of Iowa Application December 23, 1946-S`eralrNo. 717,897'

Claims.` f (Cl. S12-100) "This invention relates to a stand and housing for bottled gas.

As is well known such bottlesl of gas may be used for severalA purposes, such as welding, for domestic gas stoves, etc., and the present invntion is designed forv supporting such bottles and' providing means for covering and locking the bottles toprevent unauthorized use of them.

"The device of the present invention includes a flat base, an upright standard secured at one side of the base; anda housing'or hood secured tothe top of the standard, which extends over the base. The bottles of gas are placed on the base, and the housing covers the upper ends of the" bottles; upon which are the usual` valves for' A further object is the provision of a novelv slip-hinge which permits the housing tovbe swung back from its position over the base, when it is raised to its upper position on the standard.

A further object resides: in the fact that the stand is collapsible or separable, that is. the base, standard, and housing canali bel detached from one another, and inl addition, the standard *itself can be knocked down into separate sec-- tions.

j A still further object of the invention isA the provision of ribs formed in the upper surface o'f ther base, which hasV the dual functionof reinforcing the base and spacing the bottles of gas upwardly to permit thorough draining from the upper surface of the base.

Another advantage resides in the fac-t that the base is hollow so that it can be llledl with concrete if desired for imparting stability to the stand.

Still another vadvantage resides in the fact that the standard can accommodate bottles of" dif'- ferent sizes, within limits, so that the housing can be locked in position over the upper `.ends o f the bottles at different points for 'accommodating different lengths of bottles.

A still further advantage of the invention resides in the fact thatv means is providedA for accommodating different sizes of" Iconnections for @the -valve` accessories'f of sories areprovided with standard design meansv the bottles. Mostacces for securing-them, but of course, some vary from the standard dimensions, and in-the latter case-- they can stillsbel secured easily in positionvin the stand of the present` invention.

Still another advantage resides in the fact that the upright standardr although formed ofr stampings, is provided with reinforcing means in,

such. a Way as to4 resist. torsion.;V

YWithithese and other objects in view, my in,.

vention consists in:f the?v construction, arrangement and` combination of the various.y parts of: my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter, more fully setforth,l

- pointedout in the claims. and illustrated in the accompanying` drawings. in which:

Figure l is a front view of the stand, showing bottles of gas in position, in dotted lines;

v Figure 2 is a siderview ofthe device,V also show ing the rbottles in position in dotted lines. and

showing diierentfpositions of the housing when raised ofEKof. the loottles;` l.

,Figurev Brisa topview of the device;`

Figure Lllisnan enlarged vertical sectional view of the device taken on linel fl-'ll ofVA Figure 1`;

, Figure Y.5' is an enlarged Vview taken on line 5 5 of Figure, 4, showing the upper end ofthe',

standard, and the', means vfor connecting' the hnusingk thereto;

' Figuren is a` view from the rightA of Fgurer,

on an enlarged scale;

Figure 7 is a vfragmentary viewr adapted from Figurer showing the connection between the'v standard and.l the housing when the housing is'V vin raised position;

,Figure 8 is anenlarged sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Figure l;

FigurelQ. is anenlarged sectional view taken on. line .9'-9of Figure, 1;

Figure 1011s an enlarged sectional view taken Online illy-l0u of Figure 1;v

-Figure 1i is an enlarged sectional view taken on lineY |'I`Il ofFi'gure 2, s'how'ing'thebrackets for securing thesta'ndard tothe 'bjasejg and Figure 12 is a fragmentary View taken on linel I2--l2` of`ligure 11 'on a reduced' scale, showing the depressions" in4 th'e surface' ofA the base for' securingthe brackets# of Figure l1T thereto',

Referring in detail to the drawingsg'the stand-v includes ar -haseI |122' and' a vstandard l'4 extending upwardly` therefrom, and including sections 1%! and' I8. ASecured to'thefupperfendo'f the'standf ard is a housing 20. The base 12 is of generally oval shape, having its` longer ydimensionsdisposed transversely, and is designed to support two bottles of compressed gas, as indicated in dotted lines at 2l. t

The base I2 is a unitary stamping in the form of an open shell having an upper surface 22, and a downwardly extending skirt 24 with an out-turned angeY 26A therearound. Formed on the upper surface 22 of the base are a plurality of upwardly extending ribs 28 extending transversely across the base and spaced apart laterally. The ribs 28 may be formed in the original stamping operation which forms the base itself. The ribs 28 space the bottlesv of gas up from the main surface of the base to provide complete draining of the base, and prevent freezing of the bottles to the base in the winter. In addition, the ribs 28 furnish increased strength in the base.

Formed also in the upper surface 22 of the base are a pair of depressions 30 (Fig. 12), each roughly in the form of a U, and each having corresponding sides thereof shown at 32 in parallel spaced relation. v

YThe standard I4 is of channel-shaped stampings, with reinforcements therein. The lower section I6 of the standard I4 includes a main outer rectangular channel 34 (Figure 8) having a web 36 and flanges 38. Secured across the open side of the channel 34 is another channel 40 shallower than the channel 34, and oriented in the samedirection. The flanges of the channel 40 are secured to the outer extremities of the flanges 38 of the channel 34, as by spot welding. The means for securing the section I6, and thereby the standard I4 to'the base includes a pair of upwardly extending brackets 42 (Fig. ll) These brackets 42 in horizontal cross-section are of the shape ofthe depressions 30 in the base, and are fitted therein. Each of the brackets 42 includes a segment or'wall 44,V which ts in the corresponding'segment' A32 of the depression 30, so that the segments 44 are spaced apart, and in parallel relationship.v The lower extremities of the segments 44 of the bracket 42 are provided with flanges 46 for imparting strength thereto and providing a means for solidly securing the brackets 42 in the depressions 30.

The spacing of the segments 44 of the brackets 42 is such that the flanges 38 of the lower section I6 of the standard fit between them. Bolts 48 are then inserted for securing the standard to the brackets. The reinforcing channel 40 terminates at its lower end at the upper extremity of the brackets 42 to permit access to the bolts 48.

The upper section I8'o`fV the standard I4 is formed similarly to the lower section. By reference to Figure 9, it will be Aseen that the upper section I8 includes a channel 50 having the usual web 52 and anges`54.. The upper section I8 is slightly smaller than thelower section so that it will telescopeY into the latter, and the two sections are secured' together as by bolts (see Figure 4). Similarly to thelower section I6, the channel'of the upper Ysection I8 is reinforced with a shallower channel 56 having its flanges secured to the outer extremities of the anges 54 of the channel 58.

Spoaced a. short distance above the connection point between vthe sections I6. and I8 of the standard is an opening `58 formed in the webs of the channels 58 and 56. y

The reinforcing channel 56 in the upper section I8 of the standard extends approximately half the length of the section, and in the upper part of the section IB is a reinforcing lining 68 also of channel shape. The lining 60 is substantially the same shape of the channel 50, and fits entirely into the latter, reinforcing its web and flanges. Formed in the web 52 of the channel 5 0 and the` web of the lining 6D at the upper part of the standard are a vertical slot 62 and a plurality of holes 64 above the slot, and in v ertical alignment therewith.

The flanges 54 and the flanges of the lining 60 at the upper extremity of the standard are provided withV vertical slots 66 terminating adjacent the upper extremity of the standard (Figs. 4 and 6). ,The web 52 at its upper extremity forms a slight projection 68, and the flanges 54 are rounded at their upper corners, as indicated Aat 10.

A shorter slot 12 is formed in one of the flanges 54 and the flanges of the lining 60 toward the lower end of the respective slot 66 and positioned adjacent thereto. Y

The housing 28 is of shell-like formation, having vertical side walls 14 and positioned with its open side down. The housingA 20 tapers outwardly from the standard I4, so that its Wide outer end will cover the valves ofthe two bottles of gas, and the housing is of sufficient depth to :,fcover any type of valve accessories used in connection with bottled gas installations.

Secured to the inside of the vertical wall 14 at the shorter side thereof is a sleeve 16 fitting over the standard and having Vboth its upper rand lowerend open. The sleeve 16 has lateral flanges 18 for securing the sleeve to the housing.'

as by means of rivets. Extending downwardly from the lower end of the sleeve 16 are laterally,

positioned. ears 80, which fit over the outer sur- 1 faces of the flanges 54. The ears 80 are provided with holes for insertion of a connecting pin 82 which is inserted through the holes in the ears 80 and throughthe slots 66 in the flanges 50, and secured therein as by means of cotter keys. One of the ears 80 is provided with a hole 84 which registers with the slot 12 in the standard inv certain positions. y

The web of the sleeve 16 is provided with a slot 86 at its lower end to expose all of the open- ;ings 64A in the standard,

Use` and operation ing equipment with any type of gauge, manifold,v

or otherA connections attached Ythereto and use'd in the installation of bottled gas equipment. Such accessories ordinarily are .provided with standard'spacedconnections, but in the event they are not, the various holes 64 will accommodate various spacings of connections. Ifvthe spacings of the holes 64 are not accurate. then the slot 62 may be brought into use therewith to permit greater latitudeV of connection. Also, -,widely spaced connections can be accommodated considering the distance between the upper hole 64 and the bottom of the slot 62. A tube 80 may lead from the accessory 88 and brought outv through the) opening 58 in the standard. :1 When the-housing `2|!! is'in position for locking over the bottles, it is as shown in full lines'in" Figures 1, 2 and 4. Therelationship, when the" housing is in lowered position, between the standard and the sleeve 16 of the housing,

shown in Figures 5 and.6. AThe connecting pin 82 is at the lower end of the slots 66, and the sleeve 16 is slid down over the upper end of the standard. The slots, of course determine theA lower limit to which the housing can go. It will be noted that all of the holes 6d are exposed when the housing is lowered, because of the slot 86 in the sleeve 1B.

When the housing is in suchlowered position, 1

a padlock can be inserted through the opening 8.4V and slot 12, for locking-the housing in place.

The housing can be raised, when locked, to, the.

extent of the length of the slot 12. This will not permit access to the bottles, but permits limited,

movement to accommodate slightly differentv lengths of bottles, and to provide the play usually necessary in such pieces of equipment.

When it is desired to raise the housing, the padlock is of course removed and the khousing raised merely by sliding it on the standard. When the connecting pin 82 reaches vthe upper end of the slots 66, the lower edge of the web of the sleeve 16 can be hooked over the :projection 68 on the upper extremity of the web .of the standard. This relationship is shown in Figure '7, and the position that .the4 housing, as a whole, assumes is shown in dotted line position in Figure 2, is indicated at 92. The sleeve 16 rests on and is supported by the standard which supports thev housing in its raised position. The angle of the sleeve as shown in Figure '7 is exaggerated for a clear illustration. In such raised position the housing 20 is nearly horizontal as indicated at 92, or its outer end is slightly raised.

The connection between the. sleeve 16 ,and vthe standard may be known as a slip-hinge.. If it is desired to swing the housing back away from its position over the bottles, it is merely tilted back after it is in its raised position. Figure 7 also shows this relationship, where in dotted line position it will be noted that the sleeve 16 and thereby the Vertical wall 14 of the housing are in substantially horizontal position. At that point, the lower edge of the housing 'I4 bears against the edges of the flanges 54 in the upper end of the standard. Figure 2 shows the position of the housing when it is swung back from the standard, as indicated in dotted lines at 94.

It will' be seen from thev foregoing that'I have produced a'stand and housing which is made entirely of stampings, resulting in an extremely economical article. Because of the design ofthe variousV parts, and strengthening members atfa'ppropriate points, a strong and effective standfre' sults; for example, the reinforcing channels 40 and 56 in the standard serve greatly to resist torsion in the standard, and the lining 60 furnishes additional strength for supporting the housing.

If desired, the hollow base l2 can be filled with concrete to provide stability for the stand.

While I have shown a, particular embodiment of my invention, it will be undersood of course that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and I therefore contemplate by the claims appended hereto to cover any such modifications or substitutions of equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a stand of the type described, a base, an upright standard secured to said base, said standard being polygonal in cross-section, a

ef" shell-like housing 'having itsy open side facing downwardly, a sleeve: secured tothe inner sur facer-of said housing on oney of the vertical sur-i:v

faces thereof, said sleeve being similar in crosssection to said standard and telescoping over the upper end thereof, the lower end of said sleeveVV beingv substantially fiushwith the lowerl edge of the housing, said sleeve having laterally spaced depending ears extending below the lower edge .L of the'housing, saldi ears. having openings therein and said standard having slots therein for inser-tion of a connecting pin therethrough, said housing being vertically movable, the distance between the upper ends of said slots and thelr I upper end of the standard being no greater than the dimension of said ears? above theppenings therein, said standard having an upstanding projection on its upper end on the side thereof remote from said one vertical surface of said housing, said sleeve being adapted to engage said having a plurality of vertically aligned holes therein and a vertical slot in alignment with the holes, the web of the channel extending slightly above the flanges thereof and forming an upward projection, the flanges of the channel having ver-l tical slots therein, said slots extending to a point adjacentl the upper ends of said llanges, a housing, and means in the slots in the flanges of the channel for securing the housing to the standard, said housing being slidably vertical for the length of the slots in the flanges, said projection being adapted for supporting said housing in its upper position. l

3. In aA stand ofthe type described, a base having an upper horizontal surface and a surrounding depending flange, said upper surface having a plurality of laterally spaced parallel ribs and a pair of depressions formed therein, an upstanding bracket secured in each depression, said brackets having facing, spaced parallel walls, a channel-shaped upright standard detachably secured between said brackets, reinforcing means secured across the open side of the channel of the standard, the upper end of the web of the channel of the standard having a plurality of' vertically aligned openings formed therein for securement thereto of valve accessories used inV connection withbottles of gas, the upper end of.

the flanges ofthe channel of the standard having vertical slots formed therein, said. slots extending.

to a point adjacent the upper ends of said flanges, a housing, and connecting means inserted in said slots for securing said housing on said standard, said housing being normally positioned over said base, said connecting means being slidable in said slots for sliding said housing to the` extent of said slot, said standard having a secondslotof substantially less length than said first slot, said housing` having a second opening, said second Yslot and second opening being adapted for insertion therethrough of locking means, said housing having movement to the extent of said second slot, when said cover is locked.

f 5.V In a stand of the Acharacter described, a base, A

an uprightpolygonal standard secured to said base, a shell-like housing mounted on the upper end of said standard with its open side facing downwardly, apolygonal sleeve secured to the inner side of one of the vertical surfaces of said housing, said sleeve vbeing Ytelescoped over said standard and vertically slidable thereon, aA plurality of vertically spaced openings in said standard adjacent the top thereof Iand on the side thereof which is remote from said one surface of said housing, a portion of said openings being disposed abovertheibottom of said sleeve` when the latter is in its lower position, said sleeve having a cut-away portion adapted to register with said portions of saidopenings.

6. In a device of the character described, a base having an `upper horizontal surface and a.

surrounding depending, flange, said upperrsurface having a 4pair o f v depressions therein, each depression having a segment spaced laterally Vfrom and disposed parallel with a similar `segment in the other depression, said base being adapted forl mounting of a standard thereon between said parallel segments, andi: said depressions being adapted for' mounting'utherein ofl bracketsk'for securing said standard to the base."V

7. In a de viceof the character described, a"

base having an upper horizontal surface and a surrounding depending flange, 'said upper surface having a pairr4 of depressions therein, each depression having'a central segment and end segments disposed at an angle to the central seg- 8. In a device of the character described', alv

base having an u'pp'er'horizontal surface and a surrounding depending flange, said upper surface having a pair of depressions therein, each depression' having a central segment and end segments disposed atan `angle to the central segment, said depressions Abeing disposed/with said central segments in laterally spacedparallel relaf tion, a standard mounted on said base between said parallel segments, brackets secured in said depressions, said brackets being similar in cross 1' sectional shape to said depressions, said bracketsl having'ilat surfaces facing each other and engaging said standard and secured thereto.

9. In a stand of the type described, a base, anupright standard secured to one side of the base, a housing, a sleeve secured to the housing telescoping over said standard, a pin and slot connection between said sleeve and standard for securing said sleeve and thereby the housing ou said standard, said pin being slidable in said slot and said housing being thereby movable vertically on said standard an extent substantially equal to the length of said slot, said sleeve being raised substantially oi of the upper end of the standard when said housing is raised to its upper position, said standard having a projecting portion adjacent its upper end and within the vertical projection thereof, said sleeve being adapted to rest on said projecting portion in the upper position of the housing, and said housing being swingable on said pin and thereby on said standard in the upper position of the housing.

10. In a stand of the type described, a wide area base, an upright standard secured to the base at one side thereof, and a housing secured to the upper end of said upright standard, said housing being normally movable vertically on said standard, means for limiting the normal vertical movement of said housing, said housing and standard having cooperating openings for locking mea-ns,' one of said openings having substantially the same dimensions in cross directions, and the other of said openings being an elongated slot, said slot being of a length less than the range of normal vertical movement of said housing, whereby said housing, when locking means is inserted in said openings, has vertical movement on said standard to an extent less than its movement when unlocked.

OSCAR FAUSER, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,523,106 Dornier Jan. 13, 1925 1,784,764 Stockstrom Dec. 9, 1930 2,024,330 Bemis Dec. 17, 1935 2,071,867 Tomita Feb. 23, 1937 2,084,231 Watkins June 15, 1937 y 2,166,043 Double July 11, 1939 2,176,965 Haynes Oct. 24, 1939V 2,284,712 Anderson June 2, 1942,- 2,313,965 Pierson Mar. 16, 1943 

